Philly's Financial Future All Up to Harrisburg

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There were posters galore voicing distain for potential budget cuts at City Hall Thursday.

Updated at 3:57 PM EDT on Monday, Aug 3, 2009

"No budget cuts. No budget cuts." echoed off the limestone walls of Philadelphia City Hall Thursday as throngs of angry residents rallied for Harrisburg's passage of two bills designed to help the city generate much needed revenue. Mayor Michael Nutter was one of them.

"We're not asking the Commonwealth, we're not asking the General Assembly, we're not asking the governor for one dime," shouted Nutter from a platform surrounded by the city's highest ranking officials. "We're asking for help, to help ourselves in this crisis."

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"People got to pay their bills, people got to pay their mortgage, people got to send their kids to school -- I don't understand it," water department worker Vance Fanning told NBC Philadelphia's Doug Shimell. "I can't see how they couldn't pass it."

An increase to the sales tax alone could generate $340 million over two years, according to officials. But state lawmakers haven't been so keen on an increase. "So far, it doesn't look like the city is doing anything to help itself," State Rep. John Perzel said in May. He alluded to cuts as being the ultimate solution.

However, those most affected by the potential changes are prepared for a fight. "We provide a lot of core services to a lot of poor people...and if that's cut, what's going to happen to the poor people," said Lisa Segarra of the Norris Square Civic Association.

“Call your state representative or state senator," Nutter urged in a statement Thursday. "Ask friends and family from other parts of the Commonwealth, especially our suburbs, to call their legislators to ask them to help Philadelphia, because it’s important for the rest of Pennsylvania.”

Friday, Nutter takes his fight to the business community. He's hosting business leaders from across the city to discuss the financial situation including Comcast, the area's largest corporation.